Influence of grass hedges on the transport of antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistance genes, and antimicrobial resistant pathogens after land application of swine manure

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of narrow grass hedges on the fate and transport of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in runoff and in soil following the land application of swine manure slurry. Swine manure slurry was land applied to 0.75m wide by 4.0m long plots established on an Aksarben silty clay loam soil located in southeast Nebraska. Swine manure was applied at a rate to meet the 3-year nitrogen (N) requirements for corn. Swine manure was applied to plots with and without a narrow grass hedge to evaluate the effect of the hedge on antmicrobial and ARG occurrence in runoff following 3 30-min simulated rainfall events. The grass hedge proved to be consistently effective in reducing concentrations of the antimicrobial tylosin in runoff (p=0.016), and the total mass of tylosin transport in the runoff was reduced by an order of magnitude in plots with the grass hedge compared to plots without the grass hedge. Because we did not observe significant differences in the total amount of runoff between plots, we can attribute the reduction in mass loading to the decrease in tylosin concentration in plots with the grass hedge. The results of the grass hedge on removal of ARGs in runoff was less clear cut. The effect of the grass hedge on removal of erm(B) was not statistically significant (p=0.2465), however, the grass hedge did significantly reduce the amount of 16S rRNA in the runoff. rANOVA results suggest that the narrow grass hedge had a significant effect on removal of microbial genes in runoff (p – 0.0014). To our knowledge, this is the first effort to evaluate the effect of common and low cost best management practices such as narrow grass hedges on the transport of microbial genes in runoff

Evaluation of the Environmental Impacts of Bridge Deck Runoff

Bridges are located in very close proximity to receiving waters, and regulatory agencies often require specific stormwater control measures for bridge deck runoff. While there is some information available on roadway runoff, few studies have focused on bridge deck runoff. Currently, there is no information available regarding the impacts of bridge deck runoff on receiving waters in Nebraska. Due to the cost, maintenance, and design issues associated with implementing structural controls for bridge deck runoff, it is important to develop a better understanding of the relationship between bridge deck runoff and potential impacts to receiving streams. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the quality of bridge deck runoff; to determine the effects of bridge deck runoff on surface water bodies in Nebraska by evaluating water and sediment chemistry; and to evaluate the effects of bridge deck runoff on aquatic life. The goal was to identify the potential environmental impacts of bridge deck runoff on receiving streams, and to determine design criteria that could be used by NDOR or regulatory agencies to identify when structural controls for bridge deck runoff may be necessary to protect instream water quality and aquatic life. Throughout the course of the project, we conducted in-stream dry weather sampling, sediment sampling, wet weather bridge runoff sampling, and preliminary toxicity testing. Statistical analysis of upstream and downstream in-stream samples showed that bridges did not impact the quality of the water body. Sediment sampling did not show an increase in streambed sediment concentrations from downstream to upstream. The concentrations of bridge runoff samples were higher than literature event mean concentration (EMC) values. This was mainly due to the fact that the summer of 2012 had only two rain events of significant size and there was a large antecedent dry period (ADP) between storms, making the samples much more concentrated. Two runoff events were also used in a 48-hour 5 dilution series toxicity test with fat head minnows, and no negative effects were found. These preliminary results show that there were no apparent effects of bridges on water quality and aquatic life

Evaluation of the Environmental Impacts of Bridge Deck Runoff

Bridges are located in very close proximity to receiving waters, and regulatory agencies often require specific stormwater control measures for bridge deck runoff. While there is some information available on roadway runoff, few studies have focused on bridge deck runoff. Currently, there is no information available regarding the impacts of bridge deck runoff on receiving waters in Nebraska. Due to the cost, maintenance, and design issues associated with implementing structural controls for bridge deck runoff, it is important to develop a better understanding of the relationship between bridge deck runoff and potential impacts to receiving streams. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the quality of bridge deck runoff; to determine the effects of bridge deck runoff on surface water bodies in Nebraska by evaluating water and sediment chemistry; and to evaluate the effects of bridge deck runoff on aquatic life. The goal was to identify the potential environmental impacts of bridge deck runoff on receiving streams, and to determine design criteria that could be used by NDOR or regulatory agencies to identify when structural controls for bridge deck runoff may be necessary to protect instream water quality and aquatic life. Throughout the course of the project, we conducted in-stream dry weather sampling, sediment sampling, wet weather bridge runoff sampling, and preliminary toxicity testing. Statistical analysis of upstream and downstream in-stream samples showed that bridges did not impact the quality of the water body. Sediment sampling did not show an increase in streambed sediment concentrations from downstream to upstream. The concentrations of bridge runoff samples were higher than literature event mean concentration (EMC) values. This was mainly due to the fact that the summer of 2012 had only two rain events of significant size and there was a large antecedent dry period (ADP) between storms, making the samples much more concentrated. Two runoff events were also used in a 48-hour 5 dilution series toxicity test with fat head minnows, and no negative effects were found. These preliminary results show that there were no apparent effects of bridges on water quality and aquatic life

Effects of Solution Chemistry and Aging Time on Prion Protein Adsorption and Replication of Soil-Bound Prions

Prion interactions with soil may play an important role in the transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and scrapie. Prions are known to bind to a wide range of soil surfaces, but the effects of adsorption solution chemistry and long-term soil binding on prion fate and transmission risk are unknown. We investigated HY TME prion protein (PrPSc) adsorption to soil minerals in aqueous solutions of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and deionized water using western blotting. The replication efficiency of bound prions following adsorption in these solutions was also evaluated by protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). Aging studies investigated PrPSc desorption and replication efficiency up to one year following adsorption in PBS or DI water. Results indicate that adsorption solution chemistry can affect subsequent prion replication or desorption ability, especially after incubation periods of 30 d or longer. Observed effects were minor over the short-term (7 d or less). Results of long-term aging experiments demonstrate that unbound prions or prions bound to a diverse range of soil surfaces can readily replicate after one year. Our results suggest that while prion-soil interactions can vary with solution chemistry, prions bound to soil could remain a risk for transmitting prion diseases after months in the environment

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology as a Predictor of SARS-CoV-2 Positive Case Rates

The global response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated several limitations, including personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages and absence of sufficient medical personnel in outbreak zones1. These problems may be alleviated through the use of new testing methods, such as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), to predict potential viral outbreaks in advance of standard testing and hospital admission rates data. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is shed in the waste of infected individuals and is detected by easy and comparatively cheap sampling of communal wastewater 5-8 days post symptom onset2. RT-qPCR of communal wastewater has been suggested as a 7-day leading indicator of compiled testing data and a 3-day leading indicator of hospital entry data3. Analysis of 67 grab samples taken from 3 sites in Grand Island, Nebraska with Central District Health Department data further establishes viral concentration in wastewater as a significant 7-day leading indicator of positive cases (r = 0.441). The data supports WBE as a simple predictor of outbreaks in small communities, allowing for better communication with health supply centers and general preparedness in the face of rising cases.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/surp2021/1017/thumbnail.jp

Are There Too Many Lawyers--Introductory Remarks

The largest wastewater treatment plant in Jordan was monitored in the summer to determine the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Grab samples were collected from the influent and effluent of As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) were utilized to determine the concentrations of 18 compounds of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). The results showed that 14 compounds were detected in the collected samples from the influent and effluent of As-Samra WWTP. These compounds are 1,7-dimethylxanthine, amphetamine, acetaminophen, caffeine, carbamazepine, cimetidine, cotinine, diphenhydramine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), morphine, phenazone, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, thiabendazole, and trimethoprim. However, four compounds were below the detection limit

Development and performance assessment of an integrated vermifiltration based treatment system for the treatment of feedlot runoff

The objective of this study was to treat feedlot runoff by developing an ecologically sustainable, affordable, and resilient treatment system having a relatively long life span. Three horizontal flow soil biofilters were utilized in this study: 1) without earthworms and plants (Biofilter (BF)), 2) with earthworms only (Vermifilter (VF)), and 3) with earthworms and plants (Macrophyte Assisted Vermifilter (MAVF)). The experiments were conducted with a hydraulic retention time of four days using Lumbricus terestrris earthworms and Carex frankii wetland plants. The average COD removal from the BF, VF, and MAVF were 23.2–30.4%, 61.4–69.1%, and 68.3–78.1%, respectively. Average TN removal efficiencies for BF, VF, and MAVF were 15.5–21.4%, 34.4–38.8%, and 39.1–44.0%, respectively. Additionally, average TP removals for BF, VF, and MAVF were 31.9–40.8%, 48.0–54.0%, and 51.1–58.3%, respectively. Comparison of results with literature indicate that the developed system can facilitate more nitrogen removal. Plant roots, along with earthworms, create an aerobic ecosystem within the treatment filter, leading to high organics oxidation and nitrification efficiency among BF, VF, and MAVF. Observational analysis indicates the system with earthworms is prone to clogging while the system with earthworms and plants was less prone to clogging. Thus, it can be concluded that if modularized, the application of MAVF systems can treat feedlot runoffs with higher removal efficiency and expanded life span

Three-dimensional modeling of nitrate-N transport in vadose zone: Roles of soil heterogeneity and groundwater flux

Contamination of groundwater from nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural lands is an important environmental and water quality management issue. It is well recognized that in agriculturally intensive areas, fertilizers and pesticides may leach through the vadose zone and eventually reach groundwater. While numerical models are commonly used to simulate fate and transport of agricultural contaminants, few models have considered a controlled field work to investigate the influence of soil heterogeneity and groundwater flow on nitrate-N distribution in both root zone and deep vadose zone. In this work, a numerical model was developed to simulate nitrate-N transport and transformation beneath a center pivot-irrigated corn field on Nebraska Management System Evaluation area over a three-year period. The model was based on a realistic three-dimensional sediment lithology, as well as carefully controlled irrigation and fertilizer application plans. In parallel, a homogeneous soil domain, containing the major sediment type of the site (i.e. sandy loam), was developed to conduct the same water flow and nitrate-N leaching simulations. Simulated nitrate-N concentrations were compared with the monitored nitrate-N concentrations in 10 multilevel sampling wells over a three-year period. Although soil heterogeneity was mainly observed from top soil to 3m below the surface, heterogeneity controlled the spatial distribution of nitrate-N concentration. Soil heterogeneity, however, has minimal impact on the total mass of nitrate-N in the domain. In the deeper saturated zone, short-term variations of nitrate-N concentration correlated with the groundwater level fluctuations

Higher concentrations of microplastics in runoff from biosolid-amended croplands than manure-amended croplands

Land-applied municipal biosolids, produced from municipal wastewater treatment sludge, contributes to microplastics contamination in agroecosystems. The impacts of biosolids on microplastic concentrations in agricultural soil have been previously investigated, however, the potential for microplastics transport from biosolid-amended croplands has not been previously quantified. In this study, manure and biosolids were applied to field plots, runoff was collected following natural precipitation events and the potential of bacterial biofilm to grow on different microplastic morphologies was investigated. Higher concentrations of microplastics were detected in runoff from plots with land-applied biosolid in comparison with manure-amended and control plots. Fibers and fragments were the most frequently detected plastic morphologies in runoff, correlated with their decreased surface roughness. The potential of biosolids to contribute to microplastic contamination to U.S. surface waters was quantified which is among the first to quantify the potential for nonpoint source microplastic contamination of surface waters adjacent to agricultural production areas

Removal of carbamazepine onto modified zeolitic tuff in different water matrices: Batch and continuous flow experiments

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is the most frequently detected pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments effluent by wastewater treatment plants. Batch and column experiments were con-ducted to evaluate the removal of CBZ from ultra-pure water and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent using raw zeolitic tuff (RZT) and surfactant modified zeolite (SMZ). Point zero net charge (pHpzc), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) were investigated for adsorbents to evaluate the physiochemical changes resulted from the modification process using Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br). XRD and FTIR showed that the surfactant modification of RZT has created an amorphous surface with new alkyl groups on the surface. The pHpzc was determined to be approximately 7.9 for RZT and SMZ. The results indicated that the CBZ uptake by SMZ is higher than RZT in all sorption tests (\u3e8 fold). Batch results showed that the sorption capacity of RZT and SMZ in WWTP effluent (0.029 and 0.25 mg/g) is higher than RZT and SMZ (0.018 and 0.14 mg/g) in ultrapure water (1.6–1.8 fold). Batch tests showed that the equilibrium time of CBZ removal in the WWTP matrix (47 h) is much longer than CBZ removal in ultrapure water. The sorption capacity of RZT & SMZ in WWTP effluent (0.03, 0.33 mg/g) is higher than RZT and SMZ (0.02 and 0.17 mg/g) in ultrapure water (1.5–2 fold) using column test. This study has clearly demonstrated that the performance of RZT and SMZ is more efficient for the removal of CBZ from realistic wastewater than ultrapure water. It is evident that the surfactant modification of RZT has enhanced the CBZ removal in both matrices